Tracking the Tigers with MLB.com beat writer Jason Beck.

Tigers trade for Veras from Houston

The Tigers found their relief help from what used to be a familiar trading partner for them, acquiring Jose Veras from the Astros Monday morning for outfield prospect Danry Vasquez and a player to be named later.

The move gives Detroit the experienced right-handed arm they were seeking while adding an option at closer on days Joaquin Benoit is off.

In a statement, team president/GM Dave Dombrowski said the 32-year-old Veras “can pitch in a variety of roles, provides depth in the bullpen, and complements the roles of Joaquin Benoit and Drew Smyly.”

In other words, Benoit will retain the closer role, where he has thrived for the past month, will Smyly will continue to see some setup work. Manager Jim Leyland confirmed as much Monday morning, saying Veras will primarily work in the seventh and eighth innings but could close on occasion if situations call for it.

“I like it. I like it a lot,” Leyland said of the move. “I think Dave did a great, great job. It doesn’t surprise me. We think he’s pretty good. We saw him earlier this year.”

Tigers fans might remember Veras for the go-ahead home run Alex Avila hit off of him in the ninth inning May 3 in Houston. Veras has thrived since then, allowing 17 hits over 31 innings with 10 walks, 30 strikeouts and a .162 batting average.

It’s the first trade the Tigers and Astros have pulled off since 2001, when Randy Smith was the GM in Detroit and Tal Smith was an executive in Houston. Yet it’s very much a Dave Dombrowski style of deadline deal. Faced with a glaring need at a position where prices were high, Dombrowski went for the quiet addition for a lower cost over the glamour deal.

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26 Comments

Makes sense if Luke is sent down. Evan has outpitched him the past 30 days (~6 innings of work). So then when Downs comes back (which might be TODAY as he is reevaluated today in Detroit after a good outing yesterday) i HOPE you seen coke sent to the minors so he can FIX IT or go join Fu Te Ni and Nate Cornejo.
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But i’ll bet reed is sent down.
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So what does this mean about DOTEL and whether he has a role on the team?

Dotel is owed some money and if he comes back they need to DFA someone to clear space in the 40 roster . Veras enters for him in the 40 roster since he is on 60 days DL. And they lose flexibility for the postseason.

Looks like a good deal. Again. Besides Detroit acquiring Veras, Vasquez may get to the big leagues a little sooner with the Houston organization.
That’s taken care of. Now awaiting the suspension news.

The other good thing about this move is that there is a very affordable club option for next year. Benoit is a free agent at the end of the year (I don’t think there is an option). Hopefully, we can keep him. But with every save he notches, his stock on the open market will go up. This is a very good savvy insurance policy move for this year and next year. Well done, DD. How about Scott Downs, Darrin Oliver or Perez for the left side.
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Go Tigers.
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— Bob

hard to say. if he doesn’t hit for the rest of the year – which is hard to imagine – but statistically very possible – then not a huge loss for me.
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I’m just saying: hey we got a lot out of jhonny this year. way more than I expected. Same with Max. At some point it has to be on Alex, Prince, Victor and Verlander…. (yes victor is going now)

Just a few comments from the weekend. Miggy hits a dinger after sitting a few games but still appears to not be ready to return – how amazing is that guy? 2E is turning out to be really something, a good guy to have for that 3-run HR threat. I almost felt sorry for the Phillie’s this weekend – some horrible play by them. And I am saddened to hear about the Eat Em Up guy and apparently another guy that I am not sure I recall, dying after a hit and run accident. Went to see Bon Jovi at Ford Field a few weeks back, and sure enough Eat Em Up was outside, yelling Eat Em Up Jovi – going to games won’t be the same w/out that dude.

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